Texas Film, Travel/Tourism and Video Game Industries
Over the past several weeks I have used my weekly articles to outline some of the great things we have going on in the State of Texas when it comes to our Texas Film and TV, Travel and Tourism and the Computer and Video Game industries that exist throughout the state. This week I want to take the opportunity to do a recap on these great industries. In addition to recapping these industries I also want to take this chance to let you know about the “Power on for Texas Film, Interactive and Tourism Conference” happening on May 15, 2012.
The Texas Film Commission was created in 1971 by then Governor Preston Smith, at that time Governor Smith saw the value that the film industry could bring to the State of Texas and its economy. Since 1971 the Texas Film Commission has continued to build upon that vision and worked to bring more and more films to our state to be shot and produced. Today, under the leadership of Evan Fitzmaurice, who serves as Director of the Film Commission, that vision continues to grow and now includes building upon the state’s successes in the computer and video game industry.
The list of movies and games that have been developed/produced, or shot in the State of Texas include thousands of films, television series and games. Some of the previous movies that were mentioned included No Country for Old Men, Pearl Harbor, and Seven Days in Utopia. Now here are some of the films, TV series and games not previously mentioned:
- The Legend of Billie Jean
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Franchise
- The Tree of Life
- Bernie (just released in April)
- Top Chef Texas
- The Lying Game
- The new Dallas series
- Wolfenstein 3D – PC
- Metroid Prime – Game Cube (Nintendo)
As you can see, Texas has been home to iconic films, television series and games which have been developed/produced, and shot in Texas. These industries have provided thousands of jobs for Texans and put billions of dollars into the state’s economy. To learn more about the film and video game industry go to www.governor.state.tx.us/film .
Another wonderful component of our state’s economy is the travel and tourism industry. Tourists from all around come to Texas to experience our incredible beaches and the diverse landscapes found across the state. In 2010 alone, this industry provided approximately $57.5 billion in economic input in to the state’s economy. This industry also provided the state with roughly 529,000 jobs with earnings estimated at $16.5 billion. There are many things the State of Texas is doing to help foster and grow this vital industry including looking in to the expansion of the cruise industry in to South Texas.
All of these industries provide the State of Texas with beneficial and unique economic opportunities. In order to help showcase these industries and to examine ways in which we as a state can continue to develop and cultivate these invaluable industries, I am proud to be a part of the “Power on for Texas Film, Interactive and Tourism Conference“. This conference will be held at Texas A&M Corpus Christi on Tuesday May 15, from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. The conference is free to attend. Please register at poweron.tamucc.edu/ .
